There are multiple options for a 12-day tourist route in Xinjiang. The following is a recommended route that combines multiple travel guides, aiming to cover the northern Xinjiang region, including various natural landscapes such as grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, and canyons: **?
Day 1: Urumqi – S21 Desert Highway – Wulungu Lake – Colorful Beach – Burqin. This day you can admire the grandeur of the Desert Highway, the tranquility of Wulungu Lake, and the stunning sunset at Colorful Beach.?
Day 2: Burqin – Kanas Lake Fish Viewing Pavilion. Enjoy the lake and mountain scenery at Kanas Lake, where the Fish Viewing Pavilion offers the best overlook of the entire lake.?
Day 3: Kanas Three Bays – Free Exploration of Hemu Village. Explore the beautiful Kanas Three Bays on foot, and then proceed to Hemu Village to experience the harmonious beauty of the Tuvan wooden cabins intertwined with mountains.?
Day 4: Hemu Sunrise and Morning Fog – Burqin. Get up early to admire the sunrise and morning fog in Hemu, and then return to Burqin.?
Day 5: Burqin – Ghost City – Kuitun. Visit the unique landforms of the World Ghost City, and then proceed to Kuitun.?
Day 6: Kuitun – Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Qingshuihe. Take a self-drive tour around Sayram Lake, admire the beauty of the ‘Last Drop of Atlantic Tear’, and then cross the Guozigou Bridge to arrive in Qingshuihe.?
Day 7: Qingshuihe – Qiongkushitai – Tekes. Explore the picturesque and idyllic scenery of Qiongkushitai, and then proceed to Tekes.?
Day 8: Tekes – Karajun Grassland – Gongliu. Gallop freely on the Karajun Grassland, feel its vastness and grandeur, and then proceed to Gongliu.?
Day 9: Gongliu – Nalati Aerial River Valley Grassland. Head to the Nalati Aerial Grassland to enjoy a three-dimensional panoramic view of the scenic corridor.?
Day 10: Nalati – Middle Section of Duku Highway – Bayinbrok Swan Lake – Nine-Bend Eighteen-Turn River. Traverse the Duku Highway, enjoy the seasonal changes along the way, and then arrive in Bayinbrok to admire the magnificent scenery of Swan Lake and the Nine-Bend Eighteen-Turn River.?
Day 11: Bayinbrok – Duku Highway – Tangbula Grassland Hundred-Mile Gallery – Dushanzi. Continue to travel through the Duku Highway, admire the beautiful scenery of the Tangbula Grassland Hundred-Mile Gallery, and then arrive in Dushanzi.?
Day 12: Dushanzi – Anjihai Grand Canyon – S101 National Defense Highway – Urumqi. Visit the spectacular scenery of the Anjihai Grand Canyon, then return to Urumqi along the S101 National Defense Highway to end a pleasant journey.?
This route covers multiple famous attractions in the northern Xinjiang region, but the specific itinerary may need to be adjusted according to actual conditions (such as weather, traffic conditions, etc.). During the trip, please be sure to pay attention to safety and respect local customs and habits.?